Texas Unemployment Benefits

Recent Questions

Texas Unemployment Questions

Does part-time job disqualify me from receiving benefits?

If you work part-time, you may be able to receive some benefits. Your Statement of Benefits tells you your weekly benefit amount and your weekly earnings allowance. Your earnings allowance is one and one quarter times (125% of) your weekly benefit amount. If your actual weekly earnings are less than your earnings allowance, State govt. will pay you the difference between the amounts as long as you meet all other requirements, including looking for full-time work. You can receive 25% more income from part-time work and partial unemployment combined, than from unemployment alone. Your benefits also may last longer. If you are working the full-time customary hours for your occupation, you are not eligible to receive UI benefits, even if your earnings are less than 125% of your weekly benefit amount. NOTE. Separation from part-time work can affect your UI benefits. If your part-time employer fires you or you quit your part-time job, Texas state employment agency will review your job separation reason to decide whether you can still receive benefits.

What are eligibility criteria for Texas unemployment?

To establish a payable claim, you must have received enough wages to meet the requirements. State uses the wages paid to you during a recent 12-month period, called the base period, to calculate your benefit amounts. The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. (Calendar quarters are three-month periods beginning with January, April, July, or October.) This means that when they calculate benefits they do not use earnings in the calendar quarter in which you filed your claim, or the quarter just before that. Your maximum, or total, benefit amount is the smaller of 26 times the weekly amount, or 27% of all your wages in the base period. Your weekly benefit amount will be between $59 and $406 depending upon the wages you earned.

What is the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)?

TWC is the state agency charged with overseeing and providing workforce development services such as job matching, recruiting and training to Texas job seekers and employers. TWC also administers the Unemployment Benefits and Unemployment Tax programs. TWC's mission is to promote and support an effective workforce system that offers employers, individuals and communities the opportunity to achieve and sustain economic prosperity. TWC strengthens the Texas economy by providing the workforce development component of the Governor's economic development strategy. Texas boasts an incredibly skilled workforce ready to attract enterprise to the Lone Star State. By focusing on the demands of employers, TWC gives Texas the

competitive edge necessary to draw business here.

What is Texas Workforce Solutions?

Texas Workforce Solutions is a local and statewide network comprised of the Texas Workforce Commission and its statewide operations, 28 Workforce Development Boards (Boards) for regional planning and service delivery, the Boards' contracted service providers and community partners providing local service delivery, and the TWC Unemployment Benefits Tele-Centers. This network gives customers local access to workforce solutions and statewide services at numerous Workforce Solutions offices.

The Boards are responsible for strategic planning of universal employment services for employers and job-seekers. The integrated workforce delivery system maximizes funding and productivity while eliminating duplicate efforts. Through performance-based contracts, TWC monitors and holds the Boards accountable for program performance and provides technical assistance as needed. About Us provides more detailed information about Texas Workforce Solutions.

What is the Commission on Human Rights?

The Commission on Human Rights governs the Civil Rights Division within TWC, establishing policies and supervising the director's administration of the division. The Commission on Human Rights is the state authority fair employment practice agency, separate from TWC's Commission.

How is TWC funded?

Most of the TWC budget is funded through federal sources, such as funding for administration of the Unemployment Insurance program, and grants for employment and retraining services under Wagner Peyser and the Workforce Investment Act. TWC block grants, through allocation formulas, go to workforce development boards that plan and administer Workforce Investment Act, Choices, Employment Services, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training, child care, and other workforce and support services.

What programs and services does TWC provide?

The major functions of TWC include developing the workforce, providing support services including child care for targeted populations participating in workforce training, and administering the Unemployment Benefits and Unemployment Tax programs. TWC also provides information and analysis on shifts in occupations and industries within the state.

For employers, we offer recruiting, training and retraining, outplacement services and valuable information on employment law and labor market trends and statistics.

For job seekers, we offer career development information, job-search resources, training programs and, as appropriate, unemployment benefits. While targeted populations receive intensive assistance to overcome barriers to employment, all Texans can benefit from the services offered by the partners of Texas Workforce Solutions.

How can I report fraud within a TWC program?

Call the TWC Fraud Hotline at 800-252-3642 or view Reporting Fraud section for more information and the option to use e-mail to submit a fraud report.

Can I remain anonymous when reporting fraud?

You can remain anonymous if you call the TWC Fraud Hotline at 800-252-3642. You cannot remain anonymous if you use e-mail to submit the information.

How do I request TWC records under Open Records?

The Open Records Policy includes rights and procedures for requesting information and the contact information for several different contact methods.